Security Crisis Deepens as Ghana’s Peace Ranking Falls

Ghana’s latest peace ranking on the Global Peace Index has ignited a heated political debate as the country slipped significantly in the 2025 rankings. 

Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South and a key member of Parliament’s Committee on Defence, has expressed deep concern over the rapid deterioration of Ghana’s security and stability under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

Ghana, once celebrated as one of Africa’s most peaceful nations, now ranks 61st globally and 7th in Africa, a sharp decline from its position as the 2nd most peaceful country in Africa and 38th worldwide in 2021. 

This drop, according to Hon. Ntim Fordjour, is alarming and must serve as a wake-up call to the government.

Addressing the issue, he directly appealed to President Mahama, who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and Chair of the National Security Council.

Hon. Ntim Fordjour urged the President to focus his efforts on safeguarding national peace rather than targeting political opponents.

“Mr. President, for what it is worth, the deterioration of Ghana’s peace, safety, and security under your watch in less than a year must be your utmost concern rather than going hard after your political opponents.

“Stop killing ants with a sledgehammer and fix our security. Exacting maximum force of the state security apparatus on opposition activists for the least infraction is a misplaced priority.” 

Hon. John Ntim Fordjour

The Global Peace Index measures levels of violence, political instability, and societal safety. Ghana’s recent slip in ranking paints a troubling picture for a nation that has long been viewed as a beacon of stability in West Africa.

Hon. Ntim Fordjour attributed this decline to a surge in violent incidents across the country. He pointed to the escalation of the Bawku conflict, which has plagued the Upper East Region for years but has intensified in recent months. 

In addition, he cited the Bole-Sawla (Gbinyiri) conflict, which he said has left over 31 people dead, with several others missing and 48,000 displaced, forcing 13,000 refugees to flee to neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.

Other violent episodes mentioned included clashes in Nkwanta, mysterious killings, deadly festival-related riots, and election violence in Ablekuma North.

“From the 2nd most peaceful country in Africa and 38th most peaceful in the world in 2021, Ghana’s peacefulness has dropped drastically to 7th in Africa and 61st in the world in 2025 under your regime.”

Hon. John Ntim Fordjour

He described these incidents as the tragic hallmarks of less than a year of Mahama’s leadership.

Hon. Ntim Fordjour stressed that these conflicts are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of insecurity that threatens to destabilize the country if urgent measures are not taken. 

Selective Justice Decried Amid Falling Peace Ranking

Beyond security concerns, Hon. Ntim Fordjour accused the government of selective justice, alleging that opposition members face harsher treatment than ruling party activists. 

He specifically called for the release of Chairman Abronye, a prominent opposition figure he claims has been unfairly detained.

Highlighting instances of unequal treatment, he referenced threats made by Abdul Wahab, the NDC Communications Officer in Abuakwa South, who allegedly threatened to harm leading opposition figures, including Nana B, Hon. Annoh Dompreh, and Hon. Afenyo-Markin. 

According to Ntim Fordjour, despite the severity of these threats, Wahab has not been arrested or charged. “He’s walking free because the IGP has not received instructions from above to arrest him in BLACK MARIA.”

The MP also cited an incident involving Ralph, an alleged NDC activist accused of storming Ridge Hospital with a group and assaulting a nurse. Despite the seriousness of the alleged offense, Ralph has not faced any legal consequences. 

Hon. Ntim Fordjour argued that this pattern undermines public trust in Ghana’s justice system and erodes the rule of law.

Accordingly, Hon. Ntim Fordjour urged President Mahama to act decisively to reverse the troubling trends in Ghana’s security and governance.

He appealed for an end to partisan targeting and for a renewed focus on building unity and stability across the nation.

He warned that failure to address the current crisis could further tarnish Ghana’s international reputation and lead to long-term instability. “Please restore Ghana to the once safe and peaceful country that was handed over to you on January 7, 2025,” he pleaded.

The MP’s comments reflect growing public unease over the state of security and governance. 

With Ghana’s Global Peace Index ranking now in free fall, the pressure on the government to act swiftly and transparently is mounting. 

Whether President Mahama will respond to these calls remains to be seen, but the stakes for Ghana’s future peace and stability could not be higher.

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